Antenna: News in English, 96-10-25

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

News in English, of 25/10/1996

TITLES

• A US state department official retracts a statement on Greek-Turkish relations.
• The Athens bid for the 2004 Olympics under scrutiny.
• And, Greek doctors pioneer a new way of keeping problem arteries open.

BURNS

Burns said it's up to Greece and Turkey to decide how to divide the small Aegean isles of questionable sovereignty.

That's news to Greece, and contradicts the American position since the Imia crisis in January, which has been that Turkey should take its territorial claims to Imia to the international court.

Clinton repeated that line a few days ago, and also chastised Turkey for allowing an officer to question the status of the Greek island of Gavdos shortly after the Imia episode.

Greece has not been concerned by the possibility of Turkey going to the court, because Greek sovereignty in the Aegean is grounded in internationally-recognised treaties. But Greece has never agreed that the status quo in the Aegean is open to change, as Burns's comment suggested.

Asked about the Burns statement, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Washington has been the source of contradictory statements in the past, and that Greece will stick with the positive statement on Greek-Turkish relations made by Clinton.

New Democracy spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that if Burns was accurately expressing US views, then the US has accepted the Turkish standpoint over the Aegean, which is that sovereignty is not clear in many areas, and that Athens and Ankara should sit down and work it out. Pavlopoulos adds that if that is the US position, then Greece cannot possibly accept Clinton's offer to act as a mediator between Greece and Turkey.

Following the strong reactions in Greece, Burns retracted his offending statement. He said he was sorry for the misunderstanding. He added that Washington takes no one's side over the Imia issue, and that the US believes Greece and Turkey should resolve that difference in the International Court or through the offices of some other international body. The basis of any settlement should be respect for the terriorial integrity of both parties, for international law, and for international treaties.

OLYMPICS

The IOC officials first meeting was with the Greek prime minister, who assured them that Greece will do whatever it can to make the games a success if they take place in Athens.

Athens 2004 committee chairwoman Yianna Daskalaki- Angelopoulou said over the next few days, she and her collaborators will be trying to convince the IOC that Athens is the place for the games.

And what does the IOC think?

One of its members said he might know a little more in a few days, but that no one should expect too much right now: "We've only visited half the cities making a bid for 2004", he explained. It's early days yet.

While in Greece, the IOC reps will visit the Athens Olympic complex, and meet with the Greek president.

SOUFLIAS

In a statement Thursday, Souflias, who lost the leadership election to Evert a month ago, said the party's next congress will give the final answer to the leadership issue.

Souflias says the party's future must be faced in a spirit of responsibility and courage. He laments what he calls the lack of self-criticism at the top of the party following the parliamentary election defeat in September.

Some people are ignoring the reasons for the defeat, he says, adding that the party needs a new physiognomy. That will come in the form of a new leader, who will be chosen at the party congress next year.

Responding, Evert said Souflias should respect the democratic organs of the party and its elected officials.

N.D.

And with MP Dora Bakoyianni, one of his strongest in-house critics, saying the party has ignored the battle of ideas, and allowed Pasok to occupy space traditionally covered by New Democracy. She's often said the party's politics have been fuzzy under Evert's leadership, and repeated that it's time to sharpen up and return to traditional conservative ideas.

At issue is whether Evert can hold on to the party leadership against a united challenge from Bakoyianni, Giorgos Souflias, and Stephanos Manos.

They want a new leader, Souflias, elected at the next party congress, which will be in June at the latest.

Evert repeated at the central committee meeting that his leadership shouldn't be questioned: "I resigned after the national elections, and was re- elected", he said. "That should be respected".

Evert also said that if anyone wants to challenge him, that can be done at the congress.

Bakoyianni interrupted from the floor that he could be challenged earlier, with a no confidence motion at the New Demcocracy parliamentary group meeting on October 30th.

"What did you say?" asked Evert from the podium. "Please don't talk when I'm talking. Do you understand me Ms Bakoyianni? You should respect the party president, as everyone else does, before it's too late for you".

"Too late", was interpreted in various ways. Some members of the committee said Evert was just trying to bring Bakoyianni to order. Others said it was a clear warning that Evert will expel her from the party if she doesn't mend her ways.

Some members, like, Christos Katsiyiannis, want Evert to be hit with a no confidence motion next week.

Others say Bakoyianni should be expelled.

Still others, like MP Stavros Dimas just want everyone to get along, and put party unity first.

The next showdown could come at the meeting of the party MPs next week. Bakoyianni said after the central committee meeting: "There were specific, important messages sent today, to all those who want to listen".

That warning was countered by one from the Evert camp. MP Gerasimos Yiakoumatos said, "The president of a large party moves along, and when the time comes, he strikes".

MEDICAL

Now, thanks to methods pioneered by Greek doctors, that is likely to change.

Cardiologist Chirstodoulos Stefanides tells Antenna that research and experimentation at the Athens University Cardiology Clinic has revolutionised the treatment of constricted arteries.

Using organic splints instead of metal ones has already proven successful in preventing reclosure of heart arteries.

With the new method, all the material used to support the constricted arteries is taken from the patient himself, from other veins and arteries.

Stefanides says the results of the first patient trials are very encouraging, as the procedure can be performed without the use of incisions and general anaesthetic.

Greek doctors will train foreign cardiologists in use of their new method on the sidelines of the 17th Greek Cardiological Conference, which has just started.

QUAKES

Schools in the areas where the seismic activity has been felt have been told to hold earthquake readiness exercises.

Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos told Antenna that everyone should remain calm.

Other seismologists say they can't be sure what the quakes mean, but add that there's no cause for concern.

ECONOMY

The discussion comes as the government prepares to finalise the 1997 state budget.

Dimitris Kouselas, a bank union official, says bonds can be taxed without making them lose their appeal to investors.

However, it is uncertain that the government will tax bonds. In previous years, similar discussion has come to nothing.

It is also uncertain whether or not Pasok will hit people with property taxes.

Some government members are suggesting that properties worth 250 thousand dollars and more be taxed.

The government isn't the only one looking for more money. Auto insurance companies want to raise their rates by 30 per cent next year. The government says no, they'll raise their rates only with inflation, currently running at 8.4 per cent.

BASKETBALL

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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